The Chesterton girls tennis team may have lost five-of-seven starters from
last season’s Semistate squad, but don’t think the Trojans won’t have a
target on their backs anyway as the 2011 season gets underway on Saturday.

Chesterton will host West Lafayette beginning at 9:30 a.m. and Lafayette
Jefferson starting at 2:30 p.m.

“We’re not the only team that lost seniors,” Chesterton coach Gretchen Shinn
said. “Everybody goes through it. I feel like we are going to be very
competitive throughout our schedule and compete for the DAC title again.

“Bobbi played the State Champion twice last year and split with her,” Shinn
said. “That’s how good she is. She can compete with anyone. It’s awesome to
have someone a State-caliber player at the top of the lineup.”

At No. 2 singles will be sophomore Margaret Shinn. After a year of playing
No. 1 doubles with then-senior sister Elizabeth, the youngest Shinn should
make a smooth transition.

“She grew up very versatile and it just happened that last year we needed
her in doubles,” Shinn said. “She won’t have any problems in the adjustment
back to singles.”

The number three singles spot should be filled by freshman J.J. Lee.

“J.J.’s only a freshman, but she’s really solid and has cut down on her
errors,” Shinn said. “At third singles, we need a consistent player. She can
also hit the ball and end points.”

The question mark comes in doubles for the Trojans.

“Making the jump from JV to varsity is big and we’re trying to get a lot of
match play in before the season,” Shinn said. “The kids have worked really
hard in the offseason to get ready for varsity play.

“We have girls who are ready to play and we just need to figure out our
doubles teams.